Email marketing isn’t usually at the top of the list–or even on all the lists–of trending digital marketing tactics in 2018. The reality, though, is that it’s still a heavy hitter when it comes to successful (and inexpensive) digital marketing.

Because here’s the thing about your email list: it’s yours, unlike your social media following. It’s also way easier to build a following than content marketing.

If you’re ready to step your email marketing game up, but can’t quite get the hang of how to grow your email list, read on for the top three ways to improve your emailing list sign up rate.

Quality Is Key

The main reason quality should always win out in your email newsletters? It’ll keep your audience interested in what you have to say.

If you only send updates on what your business and you are up to, your readers are going to get bored fast. Once they’re bored, it’ll only take one or two emails for them to hit ‘unsubscribe.’

Instead, offer valuable, helpful information that they’ll really love. Make them look forward to hearing from you. Offer tips and quick guides, or tell an engaging story that lets them behind the scenes of your brand.

Nailing your target audience is key to providing valuable content for them, too. Check out this email marketing guide for steps on defining your audience and targeting their problems.

Freebies Win

Forty-five percent of consumers want discounts for being on your email list, and 35% want freebies. That’s no small chunk of change– and that’s pretty valuable information.

That’s worth creating a free resource that goes out to every single one of your email subscribers, just for signing up. When the first email is that juicy, it’ll have them clamoring for more.

Offer a discount on your service or product, or give them a free ebook. It might be extra work, but this is a key to building email lists.

Do a Mini-Course

This is a fun way to get (and keep) your email list subscribers from the get-go. Essentially, you have them opt-in to a mini-course that is conducted via email only.

If you’re a musician, for instance, your mini-course topic could be: “Learn How to Play Guitar in Ten Days.” Over the first ten days after they subscribe, they’ll receive one mini-lesson per day, delivered straight to their inbox.

They’ll look forward to receiving a new lesson every day, which means you’re definitely not losing them as subscribers. And what’s more, you’re gaining a level of trust with them by providing free and super valuable content.

After the email course ends, offer a discount on a product or service to take their education to the next level. In this instance, perhaps you would offer 10% off one-on-one virtual guitar lessons, or a discount on an ebook.

From Early Emailing List Sign up to Marketing Pro

Now that you’ve read up on the best ways to increase your emailing list sign up rate, hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two about how to build an email list from scratch.

Want to learn more about improving your digital marketing plan? Check out our SEO tips to take your game to the next level!